A Review on Epilepsy: Exploring the Classification, Metabolic Foundation, and Genetic Aspects of Epileptic Disorder

Abstract

Epilepsy is a prominent neurological disorder caused by a range of factors, including epilepsy-associated genes, hereditary variables, environmental factors such as oxidative stress and depression, and inflammatory molecules that influence it. Worldwide, more than 65 million individuals are afflicted by epilepsy. The majority of individuals with epilepsy live in nations with low to middle-income levels. In Pakistan, the incidence of epilepsy is at 10 cases per 1000 inhabitants. There are distinct classifications of epilepsy based on the frequency of seizures, which include generalized epilepsy, localized epilepsy, and epilepsy of uncertain origin. Based on the etiology of epilepsy, it is well acknowledged that this condition is characterized by a highly active network that originates from ionic transmission. Brain injury, including traumatic and ischemic injuries, leads to the production of inflammatory chemicals. The excessive production of inflammatory mediators leads to the impairment of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which induces inflammation in both the central and peripheral regions, leading to epileptic diseases. Over a thousand genes are thought to be involved in developing epilepsy; the most extensively researched genes comprise GABRG2, SCN, CACN, KCN1A, MTHFR, MTTL1, and EFHC1 gene. Various therapeutic approaches have been devised to treat epilepsy, including neurosurgical interventions, antiepileptic medications, anticonvulsant pharmaceuticals, ketogenic dietary regimens, and herbal remedies. This review article provides a thorough analysis of epilepsy, encompassing its categorization, the inflammatory agents accountable for its onset, the genetic factors linked to its progression, and the current therapeutic approaches for this disease.